Liberals and Conservatives May Be Hardwired Differently?

Question

I include a link to an article I read in Yahoo news about scientific findings which suggest that the brains of those who are politically liberal and politically conservative may, in fact, be hard wired for different behaviors.

Please follow the link and read the article, then share any thoughts you might have. What are your impressions? Do you agree? Disagree? What do you think?

Thank you.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070909/hl_afp/scienceneuroscience

Answer 1

I suppose the real question here is are liberals and conservatives born that way, or do they choose to be that way?

Answer 2

No one has any real evidence of a difference in "hardwiring" between liberals and conservatives, particularly in the region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which is a very small portion. Moreover, studies showing how people USE their brains differently do not provide evidence that our brains are automatically "hardwired" differently.

In short, the article "Homo politicus: brain function of liberals, conservatives differs" is fostering not only a stark overgeneralization of how biology and human behavior are related, researchers themselves report findings that are mere correlational in terms of statistical analysis and methodological design as if some underlying cause and effect relationship exists when there is no such evidence.

Please check the link below for a thorough answer regarding what I think about the article, "Homo politicus: brain function of liberals, conservatives differs"

http://biodeterminism.blogspot.com/2007/09/politicus-biodeterminus-absurdity-of.html

Thanks.

Answer 3

I would say there is some truth to the article, just based on my own experiences with people who are conservative and those who are liberal.

It does seem to me that once conservatives make up their minds what they think, they tend not to re-examine the idea or belief but stick with it, come "hell or high water".

The liberals in my life seem to spend some of their time looking at situations, beliefs etc from different angles before deciding and also willing to change their minds if new evidence comes into play. They also are more able to have discussions with opposing views without getting personal. I realize these are generalizations and not everyone would fit into this pattern.

Now, this is my opinion, and I may get heat from sharing it..
It seems to me that liberals take a more global view, feel like they have more responsibility for the world and it's people in general than do conservatives. Conservatives, it seems to me see things more about "a win for their team" regardless the expense to the other team.

Answer 4

One interpretation of the data I think is hilariously flawed is how they view the real meaning of this: "respondents who had described themselves as liberals showed "significantly greater conflict-related neural activity" when the hypothetical situation called for an unscheduled break in routine."

I suggest that perhaps the Conservative brain is simply much more adaptable, and doesn't have to exert much added effort when something unexpected happens. I think the situation is actually the reverse of what they say.

Look at how Liberals approach almost everything with a close-minded, messianic intensity, from global warming to entitlement programs. They practically foam at the mouth when you point out the obvious flaws in their reasoning. This is what the researchers are seeing!

The Liberal brain has entrenched beliefs that cause a big spike in neural activity when something unexpected is thrown at them. The Conservative brain is much more structured and ordered, so unexpected events don't require much added effort.

It's like the Conservative brain is a dual-core, air-cooled Pentium IV processor, while the Liberal brain is some clunky, over-heating old model that can't handle simultaneous tasks.

Answer 5

Conservatism is an acquired political philosophy. One has to be intelligent, experienced, educated and able to weed out the BS.
Liberalism seems like a good idea to some, who are not capable of figuring out the costs.
Winston Churchill said: "If you are not a liberal by the time you are 21, you do not have a heart. If you are not a conservative by the time you are 40, you do not have a brain."

Answer 6

seriously this article sucks. it is about as unscientific as they come... seriously only 43 people in the test? the article gave absolutlely no stats. what base line did they use to determine what is considered nimble minded and loyal?

For instance im conservative but I run a fast paced business that requires me to think on my feet (so to speak) nearly every part of the day.. I have to adjust. and ive been very successful. So obviously a conservative does not = closed minded.

Answer 7

That may explain why so many Conservatives are child molesters. Nearly all molesters, were themselves molested as children, and an experience like that certainly lends itself to a selfish mindset and a pathological need for the world to be a simple and orderly place--even to pretending it is if it isn't.

Answer 8

I honestly disagree. I am a liberal, my whole family is liberal. My two friends are conservitive, there whole family is conservitive. I think the real determining factor is your Socioeconomic status. Not saying that rich people can not be liberal and poor people can not be conservitive but when it comes down to politics, you think you'd side with the group that you stand to benefit from, not some predisposed form of thinking.

Answer 9

AS usual,you support your opinions and ideas with facts..You have made the ideas speak unto themselves,,My concern is after handing out these DNA poker hands where do the hell do all the people end up! Las Vegas ! People are brought up by their parents if they are lucky and ideas are instilled into them...Rich Or Poor...People are a result of their parent's confluence..You might be damn right..so sad.LOL.

Answer 10

Humans are hard-wired to take in garbage and spit out garbage. We learned that from computers.

You will believe whatever you are persuaded to believe. It's why I detest the path public education has taken. They are in the brain-washing business instead of the education business.

Seems Yahoo knows a thing or two about selling junk.